Dampening roller removal and insertion mechanism



.Aug. 19, 1952 A. G. JACOBSON 2,607,291

'Filed May 20, 1947 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 DAMPENING ROLLER REMOVAL AND INSERTION MECHANISM Au'g. 19, 1952 J c'o s 7 2,607,291

DAMPENING ROLLER REMOVAL AND INSERTION MECHANISM Filed May 20, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 IN VEN TOR.

g/"Z/zdr Gaiacobson,

Patented Aug. 19, 1952 DAMPENIN G ROLLER REMOVAL AND INSERTION MECHANISM Arthur G. Jacobson, Chicago, 111., assignor, by mesne assignmentsyto Miehle Printing Press.

and Manufacturing Company, Chicago, cor'poration'of Delaware A p immn May 20,1947, Serial No. 749,263

The invention relates todampening mechanism for lithographic or offset printing presses where the plate or form which bears the imag to be printed must be dampened before the printing ink is applied to it, the purpose of this dampening procedure being to repel the ink in the non-printing areas of the plate. I I

More specifically, the invention consists in the provision of improved means whereby one of.

during printing and which apply a. thin film of dampening fluid to it, a'vibrating distributor roller made of metal and which contacts with.

one or more of the dampening rollers in order to evenly distribute the fluid applied to the dampening rollers, and a ductor roller also preferably covered with molleton for conveying the fluid intermittently from the fountain rollerto the distributor roller.

During the printing operation ofan offset press. the molleton cloth on the roliers of the dampen-v ing mechanism absorb a certain amount ,of;

which is picked up from .theplate or i'orm.- This is particularly true with respect to the dampening rollers of said mechanism which directly contact the printing plate or form during printing.

This necessitates frequent removal of I the cleaned dampening rollers so that they maybe and reconditioned.

With the exception ofthe bottom-onlower, dampening roller, the rollers of, the mechanism may. be easily removed sincethey are exposed and therefore accessible for removal fromtheir bearing. sockets. However, this is not the 9.6 58, as regards the bottom dampening roller which" is inaccessible due to its position and thus removal of the same has heretofore presented difliGl I- Q ties, with disturbance of .thesetting of :the other;

rollers being unavoidable. v The principal object of the present invention.

therefore, is the provision of means'whereby the inaccessible lower dampening roller can be.

removed without difficulty and without disturb- I laiins. (Cl. 101-147) ing its setting or that of any other roller of the dampening mechanism.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of supporting arms for the lower dampening roller having latch means which in operative position will support thebearings for the roller and lock the same in position.

Another and more specific object resides in the provision of supporting arms having latch means as described and which may be conveniently released by the operator to thereby release and permit removal of the bearings of the lower dampening roller from their sockets, the arms providing a track-way for the bearings to support the same upon release and which permits rolling movement of the released dampening roller to an accessible position.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of supporting arms for the lower dampening roller equipped with a track-way and latch means as described, and wherein the parts are so constructed and arranged that the roller may be inserted in its sockets by supporting the bearings of the roller on the track-way and rolling the roller toward the socket end of the supporting arm. In this connection the latch meansare urged outwardly upon insertion of the bearings in their respective sockets and the said latch means will automatically return to their operative position to lock the hearings in place since a spring urged push rod is associated with the latch means for yieldingly biasing the latch means in a locking position.

With these, and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will'be' ing ,mechanis'm embodying the improvements of 45 the invention;; I

Figure 2 isa horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 22 of Figure 1 and showing the supporting arms for the lower dampening roller in plan elevation with parts in section; and

Figure 3 is a. vertical sectional viewalongv line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing constructional details Referring to the drawings, the numeral H] indifficulty on the part of the operator and withdicates a plate carrying cylinder of the press out disturbing the setting of the other rollers having a printing plate or form H mounted of the dampening mechanism. thereon in the usual manner. In contact with The supporting arms 30 for the lower dampenthe printing plate H are dampening rollers l2 ing roller are shown in side elevation in Figure 1 and l3 preferab-l-y covered with molleton and and-in= pla n elevation ir Figure 2. llhe arms are Whlfih in turn contactthe metal distributing identical inigonstructio'n; and are pivdtally suproller It mounted for rotation and which is genported from the frame at their right hand end, erally reciprocated in an axial direction. The ffigure 1, by stud shafts 3| mounted for rotation plate cylinder [0 is rotated by means forming 1 in the side members I8 and 20, respectively. A part of the printing press and "is suitablyinlfgiiigl 1 yeigszn gsuaab1y fixed to or formed integral by inking rollers, such structure not being "shown; witheach' stud shaft, being located exteriorly of however, since it forms no part of: the present. its respective;side member, and on the inside of invention. 3 s each 1nerr iber the-stud shafts are suitably fixed to The means for supplying/moisture:to the,=.dise. -eocentrics The; right hand ends of the arms tributing roller 14 includes amolleton covered 30: re; supportedzbythe eccentrics 33 which pro- .ductor roller I5 suitably journalled and oscil-. videsfor adjustment of the arms individually lated. for intermittent contact With'thedistribu'tupon'rota'ti'on ofthe stud shafts 3! to vary the ing roller [4 and a metal fountain roller- 16. The; 1 p l l pning of the lower dampening roller l3 fountain roller I6 is suitably journalled by the whereby to secure proper contact with the printwater fountain l1 supportedby :frame structure'. infg ..plate [Loarriedbyprinting cylinder). Said of the press including sideniembers "land 201- arrns 30, .as-best. shown in Figure 2, comprisea The journalling of thefountain rolleris such as longitudinalifiembelfififll which is extended at to..cause ..the roller -to dip. into the -water: contherearjendofthearm to form the hub. portion tainedby. thefountain Ill, Moisture from. the 3 5..r eceiving the eccentric}; as above described periphery .of-the fountain roller -is thus picked; andfsaidlon 'litudinal member- 34is also'extended up by the molleton covered ductor rollerand. at its forward end toTprov-idea portion-36.hav-.-.. transferred .to. the distributing. roller. said roller ins; c red passa s rm d t r n tra sv rse y is provided atits respective ends with trunnion of'the portionjidentifiedrespectively by numerals. portions 2 byimeansof which the roller-is jour-v 3'! arid-L381 Adjacent'portions and '35;- the: nailed. and-supportedforreciprocating movement member'tq of each arm 3 0.is provided with trans-v as described; The dampening rollersl2 and I3. verse web sections andfill, the said .websec are likewise suitably. journalled forrotationandtions' b eing joined .byalongitudinal part, 42. exsupported forcontact with the distributing roller. liclliding lfpaijallelto 351' and providing the track- This structurewill now be. described. wayfl43. PartAZjand the track-way 43 continue, Spaced supporting arms 22 are. provided for f yb' y d' fi n' to Provide e-593 11, the upper dampening roller. l2, the farms being. portion 44 of each arm 30. It will be, observed pivotally. supported, at. th'eirright hand. end, t e r:13 09M I DZHQIIMjis semi ciroular;- the Figure 1,' from the. frame of the press by. means same tern inatingfat145; and which forms a sub"- I of the stud shafts 23-mountedin theside momtant elly SglfXll-fClIjfillllQlrienQlOSlllfB adaptedto re,- bers lsand 29: respectively. Each stud shaft has elve he e l be inamembe s' t ly fixed fixedly. securedth'ereto or formed integral thereo thQ Klin on. p rt nsgll-l 1f oiflthje' lower dampe with alever located exteriorly'offits respective ehing' roller; I3 whereby the roller is; supported; side.;member andjto the inside of each member by 'the arrns Wand-suitably journalled for rota'a. the. saidstud shaftsaresuitamy-fixed t0, eccen' titan. I I trics'IZliI' The-right hand ends ofthe arms 22? The armsi30:are[disposed as sh'ownin'Figui-ezgj are},supported -by .their 'respective; eccentric ,25, With th'e" -Ways"43thereof positioned ad'-' which} permits individual adjustmentof thearms l'flcei ltbutf in spacedrel'ation to each'o 'h uponjrotationof the.studgshafts 23 .to; vary"th e' heteach ra kay-is-in substantial al n nt position. off the upper. dampeningrollerjlZ. so with a'bj fim m mbe w i journa s to sec re pro er contact or the dampening roller w r dam r r. Meansare. provided with the printing: platell carried by'printin'g. by the invention for locking each ball bea ng cylinder it. Each supportin'g'arm 22 at its left within the so k t-por ion 44d of its supportin hand end is. provided 'w'i'thflanarcuategshaped' lfmiandfwhen theilocking 'm arereleased socket foflndbytheportions Zlifadap'tedto .re; w ll fl l l d' al e'bearirigs are 'i' e' ceiveirthe ball bearinemembe s 21,. the said mem -f; .to' 'd f0D m; i tp on a d r ll n here Zllbeingsuitably fixed to' their "respective 'the track-ways 43 in a rearward direction-toward trunnion pbrtionf28jvihereby the mOu e tQII iQQV the right handend of th'einsupporting arms.- ered d'ampening'roller I2'is suitablyisupported This' naturalrearwardrolling movement of 'the andjournalled by the. spaced arms 22"withfprovi-' roller 13 when released ut a al y position sion being madeifor conveniently removing the 6 me same for-convenient-aecess -an;d-rem'oval-by dampening r0lle r,from the arms for cleaning andf the operator;

The socket portion of each armincludesaniin replacementof said'roller; V

'Whereas1 the upper dampening rollerisisup 'r' edji r c n n n c s d ead fem r this i's'not' the case with the'1owerdampening j roller I3 which by reason of its location' is -relai--= tively'inaccessible. The inaccessible position of the lower dampeningroller has-- herettif ojrw'e "pr'e-' sented diilicultiesand dis'turbance-of th'e= s'e'ttin'g'. of the other rollers in removing and replaeir'ig t-""' 4 H H p a same has been generally unavoidable. Th'e su p; openings-"49 an'd 31 provided portingl'arms-ifor said lower roller have therefore Y supports the latch 53 whic been designed withthe object in view'ot -provid=-= the s'ocket port'ion idzof the; ingfor easy 'remov'alofithe lower roller Ely am Sl0I1 3$ th6r0ft It;wilI.Ebe'- seen from operation tha'tcan" lie-performed Without any e n -s-z iii-adjusted?" avin-g location-in cored- 'erefon- Said 'p-in' pea-t e between portion :and-lthe extension and that the interme-v diate: eccentrickpart 54 .of the .pin coacts l with the latch;53.lto'v pivotallysupport the same and additiona1ly.,provide1 for .adjustmentof .the'latch wherebyto adjust 1 contact: of i the, same .with its respective bearing member 46v, :Foruthisireason the latch .53 .is approximately .L-shape, having a locking endv 55...whichwis.disposedwithin slot 56 formed. in thezwall 'ofeach socket portion sub-. stantially diametrically. opposite pin ,52 :so that heend-55 willbe located within saidvnotch .when the latch depends, vertically in locking position. The vertical;locking 6 position of the I latch- 53' is clearly shownin Figure 1, in; which, positionthe locking; end 55 is v disposed under and. in contact with thebearing 46. ;Since the locking end is 10-. sated below and; in substantial vertical alignment with-pin Z,-it;is 1clear that the latch is operative to lock the bearing 46 withinits respecttve housinglfl. For releasing the bearings for release oithe lower dampening roller fromthe socket portions of the supporting arms 30 it is necessary to actuate latch 53 in a direction out-. wardly toward the left, the latch during such movement pivoting on eccentric portion 54 of the pinJ52. 'flT.

" .oi' act'uating the" latch 53 so that the same .be. conveniently positioned by the operator inv-a locking'fora released position; the invention provides a push. rod indicated by numeral 58 and which extends in a parallel direction longitudinallyof its respective supportingarm, having location between members 34 and 42 of its arm. Each push rod'58 at its left hand end is pivotally secured to; the latch, the same being clearly disclosed in Figure 3, and numeral 59 indicating the screwior .pivotallyjoining the saidend of the push rod and the latch. The rod extends through sedtionfiliwhich'is {provided with-an opening 60 permitting passage of therod.- Atits right-hand end push rod is provided with a handle 6],

d.. approximately under web 40 and thus I conveniently positioned for actuation by the'operator to efiecit swinging movement of the latchand-to therebylocate the latch in its looking or released positions. For practical reasons it is preferredto yieldingly maintain each latch 53 in a locking position with respect. to its associated socket portion and accordinglythe push rods 58 each carry a coil spring 62 the spring being confined b etweensection4| and handle 6| so asto yieldingly bias its respective push rod in ardirection toward the right and maintain the latch inavertical locking position.- Thusto move a-laten to a released positionit is necessary; to actuate its respective push rodto compress the coil spring 62 carriedby the. rod. 7

An operativerelation ismaintained between the dampening rollers and the distributing roller, the Iormer contacting the: distributing roller and being held in contacting relation by linkage'as clearly shown in Figure 1. The links 64 have pivotal connection with the arms 22 on the axis of the trunnion portions 28 and said links at 65 are suitably connected in a pivotal manner to the links 66. It will be observed that the connection between links 64 and 66 is effected on the axis of the distributing roller l4. Whereas links 64 are disposed on the respective sides of the upper roller l2 the links 66 are disposed on the respective sides of the lower dampening roller l3. For pivotally connectingthe links 66 with their associated supporting arm 30, the forward extension 36 of each arm carries a pint, the same having location in bore 38 provided therefor. The pin is thus located at the center of scepe'pf the elaims;

the housing-portion 44 of its respective arm and the links 64 and 66 therefore permit bodily move ment of the upper; andlower dampeningrollers in an arcuate path abouttheperiphery of thedistributing roller I l l 4. Adj ustment' of the -sup=- porting arms 22 and 30 through actuationoi theirrespective eccentric to--- properly v. osition 'the dampening rollers with respect to "the-printingcylinder may therefore be effected in a manner which maintains the dampening rollers in -pro'per contact with the distributing roller.

For removing the lower dampening-rol1e'r l3 from the supporting'arm's 30 it is first necessary to remove the ductor-roller l5. With'th'e 'ductor roller out of the way a clear path i's.. providedfor the lower dampening roller" and-"thebame' may have unobstructed 'r'novement 'in a direction re'arwardly toward the operator. The'latches-53 on the-arm's 30 arepre'ferably released s'imulta i neously by'actuation of the pushrods'58. -A'ccordingly, the bearings 46 for the lower dampening roller are released and are-free-to'dropout of their respective socket portions 44 which will automatically take place upon the latches ass'uming a released position." The -bearings contact the track-ways 43 and-roll on said track-ways in a directiontoward the right wherethe opera tor can conveniently lift the roller from the sup porting arms.

Replacing the lower dampening roller is ac complished substantially automatically withthe minimum of efiort on the part of the operator. The bearings are placed {on the track waysfand' the rolleris caused'to roll 'toward'the-secket par tions-of the arms. nsertions: thebearin s withf in the' socket portions will eii'ec t movement of the latches to "a released position, whereupon the latches will automatically return to a'lock ing position by reason of the tensionfapplied by 'thecoil springs 62. The latches are'efie'ctive to lock the bearings within their respective socketportions and accordingly the lower dampk ening roller is properly positioned andj'o'urnalled for rotation, although removal of; the same" pien "n difficulties a dii an "b Wwmnl hb without disturbingthe settin Ofthe' otherroller's'. ,'The invention is notto be limitedt tails of "construction of :the; particula fnentthereof illustrated by, the drawings; as varia" 9 Other. o m of id i' fi IWill" 10f ourse b apparent to those {skilled macaw; parting from the spirit i. the} inve ion orthe iEWhat'is claimed i J41. Dampeningroller mechanism, in' combinar, tion, an upper and l ower.dampeningjroller p i' tioned in superposed relation for contact with 'a printing cylinder, .a'pair of spaced armsffo'r sup'' porting each roller, the arms for the lowen'dampening 'r'ollerhaving socket portions 'formed'inte-l gral therewith'at one end; means on said arms'extending substantially horizontally from the bottom of said socket'portion and providing a track on which adampening roller may be rolled into and out of engagement with the associated socket portion, and a self-locking latch pivotally supported by each said arm and associated with the socket portion thereof.

2. Dampening roller mechanism for printing presses, in combination, a plurality of dampening I .rollers for applying a fluid to a printing plate,

supporting means for one of said dampening rollers including spaced arms having socket portions respectively at their roller supporting end, self-locking latch means pivoted to each arm in associated relation-with the socket portions there'- ofand having a'locking and a released position,

said latch means in locking. position serving to lock thesaid dampening roller in journalling relation'within the socket portions; a'member pivotally' connected to the depending endof: said relation with the respective socket portion;

-3I. 'Dampeningroller mechanism, in combinatiomanupper and alower dampening roller positioned insuperposed relation for contact witha printing cylinder, supporting means for each roller'including a pair ofarms each-pivotally supportedat one end and-journalling its roller atthe other end the pair of arms for the 'lower dampening roller including socket portions-Vat its roller journalling end,- latch meansassociated with each socket portion and having a locking and a re leased position therewith, and eccentric means adj-ustably fixed to each armfor pivotally supporting the latch means, thereof, said eccentric means; being adjustable whereby toadjust the lockingposition of the latch means.

'4. Dampening roller mechanism, in combination, rollers for applying dampening fiuidto a printing plate, supporting means for saidrollers respectively having-socket portions for j our-nalli-ng the rollers for rotation,the supportingmeans-for one or said rollers including a pivoted latch-mem her for lockingthe roller in itsoperative position,

eccentric means ior adjusting the locking. position' of said member, resilient means associated with-said latch member and operative to move said member to its locking position upon insertiono'f the roller insaid sockets, and means adapted to be actuated at a positionremote. from said sockets for disengaging the, latchmember to thereby efiect release of theroller.

5, a" pening roller mechanism, in combinatio'n, a plurality of rollers for applying dampeningifluidto a printing plate, supporting meang'for the rollerslrespectively including a pairof arms fpreach roller having socket portions for journalli'n the' rollers for rotation, apivoted latch associa e d' with the socket portio'ns for locking'the roller operativeposition, an eccentric studfor mounting said latch whereby the'locking DOsition of said latch may be adjusted, a track provided oneach of said arms for guiding the roller into and out of said sockets, and spring means constantly urging" said latch into a locking p sition, said latch being movable toa released position against thefte'nsion' or said resilient means] e -Dampemn roller mechanism, in combina tip nupperand a lower dampening roller posifro ed superposed relation for'contact with a printing cylinder, supporting meansufon: each roller including a-pair' of-iarms foitieaclraro'll'er pivotally supported at one end and: journalling its roller at the 'other end, the pairof: arms for' the lower dampening roller: including socket por tions at its rolle'r journalli-ng' endpaspivoted lfi'tili member associated wane-am socket portioni and having a'locking and a released -positiomwitli relation thereto, a manually oliierable plunger pivotally connected to' the" free e'n'd of sain -mem her for moving it to its rele'ased p'osit'ion';;and resilient spring'means concentrically"mowted eh said plungerto exert ressure between the head of said plunger and said-"socket portio'n'for'returm ing said plunger andthereby said-member to} its locking position after the roller is inse'rt'ed? 7. Dampening roller" mechanism combine?- tion, an upper and a=-'low'er"dampening roller pcsi tionedirisuperpo'sed relation for contact wit-Ira; printing cylinder, supporting'means'for ea'cl'frol l er including a pair of arms each pivotally' supported at one end and jo'urnalling its roller'at th'e'o'ther end,'th'e pair" of arms for the lower dampening roller including socket portions" at their roller journallingends and track means for guiding said rollers into and out of said sockets, bearing members for the respectiveends of said roller adapted to be located within tl'iesocket portions respectivelyto thereby journalthe'rolle'r' for rotation, self lockin'g latch means associated with each socket portion and having" a locking and a released position with relation to a bearing member located within its'socket. said' latch meansincluding a manually operable plunger" pivotally connected to said latch for'moving'th'e' latch to its released position, and a resilientcoi'l'springconcentrically mounted on said plunger for con? stantly urging said plunger and thereby saidlatch means to the locking position, said" latcli being movable'to its released position against tlie3resilie'nt pressure of said spring uponthe insertion of the roller in the socket where'upon-the'spring moves said latch to its lockingpositio'n to wer after retain said roller in the'socliet.

a i ARTHUR ancoes'o'n f REFERENCES CITED I The following references are'of' record in the file of this 'patent: I 1 UNITED; STATES PATENTS 

